Purchasing Officer - Operations Group - Laboratory Services and Purchasing

at  Medical Research Council

Open Date
04/02/2025, 08:00
Close Date
04/03/2025, 23:55
Research Institute
MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology
As this job does not fulfil the UK Government minimum salary criterion for obtaining sponsored migrant worker status we will be unable to apply for sponsorship for anyone not eligible to work in the UK. At interview, all shortlisted candidates are required to bring with them identification documents and original documents that prove they hold or can obtain the right to work in the UK. You can check your eligibility here: https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa/y
Research Institute / Unit Information
The MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB) is one of the birthplaces of modern molecular biology and has played an important role in the development of many new techniques, most notably protein crystallography, cryo-electron microscopy, DNA sequencing and monoclonal antibodies. The LMB has a clear goal of understanding biological processes at the molecular level, with the ultimate aim of using this knowledge to tackle specific problems in human health and disease. We aim to tackle difficult, long-term problems, which often require investment over many years.
There are four scientific Divisions - Structural Studies, Protein and Nucleic Acid Chemistry, Cell Biology and Neurobiology. However, scientific collaboration between the different Divisions is extensive. Scientists are well supported by excellent scientific facilities and by the LMB Operations Group which maintains the core infrastructure and services of the institute.
The LMB provides an unsurpassed environment for both new and established researchers. Scientists are drawn to the LMB from all over the world, thus creating a lively and international community for the exchange of ideas and technical innovation.
UK Research and Innovation is a new entity that brings together nine partners to create an independent organisation with a strong voice for research and innovation, more information can be found at www.ukri.org
Band

MRC - 5

Location
Cambridge
Salary
£29,552 - £31,318 per annum
Contract Type
Permanent
Job Type
Technical & Scientific Professionals
Full Time / Part Time
Full Time
Job Description

EDUCATION / QUALIFICATIONS / TRAINING REQUIRED:

Essential:

• Educated to A level standard with 5 GCSE’s or equivalent, including Maths and English.

Desirable:

• Educated to degree level in a life science or technical subject.
• CIPS qualification.

PREVIOUS WORK EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Essential:

• Experience in administration or purchasing roles.
• Experience of managing technical data in a complex working environment (e.g. laboratory or healthcare).
• Experience of a customer service facing role in a technical environment (e.g. service and maintenance).

Desirable:

• Experience in a customer service management role within a complex working environment (e.g. laboratory or healthcare).
• Experience in public sector purchasing.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS

• Excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively with both technical and non–technical staff.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to work closely and effectively with staff at all levels.
• The ability to listen to others, understand and interpret their views, analyse and provide advice/solutions.

ORGANISATIONAL SKILLS AND INITIATIVE

• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to organise others.
• Ability to plan and prioritise work without or under limited supervision.
• Adaptable as the workload is varied and priorities can change at short notice.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.

OVERALL PURPOSE:

To support the Laboratory Services and Purchasing team within the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB) in ensuring smooth purchasing operations across the LMB.
Within the team you will be responsible for coordinating customer services support for members of the LMB, UKSBS accounts payable, and suppliers. You will leverage expertise in UKRI’s purchasing system to ensure efficient ordering, receipting, and invoicing of goods and services. You will provide guidance to members of the LMB on best purchasing practices and the resolution of issues.

MAIN DUTIES/ KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Managing the Laboratory Services and Purchasing helpdesk, addressing enquiries, prioritising and resolving purchasing support requests efficiently such as:
  o Resolving order-related issues, including purchase order enquires, returns, cross-charging, customs and fees.
  o Resolving issues with on-hold invoices.
  o Providing a support service to LMB Stores resolving delivery problems.

  o Advising staff on best purchasing practices to prevent recurring issues.

• Supporting the procurement of scientific instrumentation, service contracts, and purchasing requirements for scientific groups, facilities and support departments.

• Leading the import process for scientific instrumentation and goods from overseas, adhering to customs and import regulations.
• Assisting in the management of service contracts for scientific facilities and support departments.
• Delivering a credit card purchasing service, processing purchase requests in line with UKRI policies, for members of the LMB, liaising with the Finance Department where necessary.
• Reviewing and processing ad hoc purchase requests.
• Assisting with cross-departmental initiatives, including the Scientific Capital Programme and minor equipment purchases.
• Overseeing in-house receipting processes for the Laboratory Services and Purchasing team, focusing on intangible goods.
• Ensuring accurate and timely receipting and processing of oligo and sequencing invoices and recharging of costs to relevant cost centres.
• Conducting vendor research for quality and cost-effective procurement solutions.
• Maintaining a comprehensive contact database of approved suppliers.
• Managing contracts for multifunctional office devices across the LMB.
• Managing the LMB’s vehicle fleet, ensuring compliance with legal and UKRI policies and maintaining accurate records.
• Assisting with record-keeping, centralised systems; supporting Laboratory Services and Purchasing operations while maintaining audit readiness.
• Analysing and reporting on trends to the Laboratory Services and Purchasing Manager, highlighting ongoing issues and potential resolutions.
• Providing cover and support during periods of holiday and sickness within the Laboratory Services and Purchasing team.

CORPORATE/LOCAL RESPONSIBILITIES & REQUIREMENTS

You must at all times carry out your responsibilities with due regard to the UKRI:

• Code of Conduct
• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policy
• Health and Safety policy
• Data Protection policy

Job descriptions should be reviewed on a regular basis and at the annual appraisal. Any changes should be made and agreed between you and your manager.
The above lists are not exhaustive and you are required to undertake such duties as may reasonably be requested within the scope of the post. All employees are required to act professionally, co-operatively and flexibly in line with the requirements of the post, the MRC and UKRI.
The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.
The MRC is a unique working environment where scientific researchers and professional support staff can actively partake in world class innovation and collaboration opportunities and their skills and knowledge through accessing a wide catalogue of training & development, including professional registration with the Science Council.
In addition, MRC (part of UKRI) provides its community of employees access to a whole host of useful benefits, including a defined benefit pension scheme and excellent holiday entitlement (30 days plus 2.5 privilege days & 8 bank holidays), family friendly policies (6 months full pay maternity & adoption leave), a range of shopping/travel discounts, access to our Employee Assistant Programme Scheme, Health and Wellbeing Support and a salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. Please follow this link to find out more - Benefits
Our success is dependent upon our ability to embrace diversity and draw on the skills, understanding and experience of all our people. We warmly invite people from diverse backgrounds and heritage, including people who identify as having a disability, to apply for a role that excites them. As “Disability Confident” employers, we guarantee to interview all applicants who have disclosed they have a disability and who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy.
UKRI supports research in areas that include animal health, agriculture and food security, and bioscience for health which includes research on animals, genetic modification and stem cell research. Whilst you may not have direct involvement in this type of research, you should consider whether this conflicts with your personal values or beliefs.
We will conduct a full and comprehensive pre-employment check as an essential part of the recruitment process on all individuals that are offered a position with UKRI. This will include a security check and an extreme organisations affiliation check. The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment